Abstract: There is disclosed an interactive display system comprising an interactive surface for displaying an image and for receiving inputs from remote devices, the system being adapted to detect the presence of at least two remote devices proximate the interactive surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a laser ignition device for a combustion engine, especially a four-stroke engine, powered by ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol and petrol, kerosene and benzol (benzene). The device of the invention is provided, in addition to a pulse laser, with a housing (10), at the outlet of which a quartz window (11) is seated, with a control-operation system (18) and with a dumper (15) seated in the bottom (3.1) of the piston (3) of the engine cylinder (2). The operation surface of the dumper (15) is heated in pulses by the laser radiation beam and said heated up operation surface of the dumper (15) causes ignition when the fuel mix reaches its lower explosion range limit.

Abstract: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.

Abstract: A round ride is selectively placing passenger vehicles in one of two or more workspaces or vehicle fly zones. The ride includes a drive assembly including a rotating hub structure and a plurality of vehicle support assemblies mounted to the hub. Each of the vehicle support assemblies includes: (a) a vehicle; (b) a support arm supporting the vehicle proximate to a first end; (c) a base pivotally supporting the arm; and (d) a base angle mechanism mounted to the rotatable structure and selectively operable to position the base into a low position and a high position. The vehicle support assemblies are grouped into first and second sets including alternating ones of the vehicle support assemblies. The base angle mechanisms positions the first set of vehicle support assemblies in the low position and the second set of vehicle support assemblies in the high position and later swaps the positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method and apparatus for calling virtual machine across processes. In one embodiment, it is determined whether a virtual machine is running in the same process. If a virtual machine is running in the same process, that virtual machine is used. If a virtual machine is running in another process, the application sends commands for the virtual machine to an intermediary application in the same process. The intermediary application passes the commands on to another intermediary application in the process where the virtual machine is running, and that intermediary application sends the commands to the virtual machine. Communication from the virtual machine to the application are performed in the reverse order.

Abstract: A motor having a rotor and a stator is disclosed. A motor having a rotor and as stator is disclosed. The rotor is a consequent-pole rotor having a rotor core, a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of salient poles. The stator includes a plurality of teeth. The stator is arranged to be opposite to the rotor with a gap along the radial direction. The gap between the stator and the rotor is set to satisfy an expression 1<B/A, where A represents the shortest gap distance between the stator and the magnets, and B represents the shortest gap distance between the stator and the salient poles.

Abstract: A video game development system is provided with live feedback to developers working with multiple game platforms or consoles. The system includes a communications hub module running on a hub server linked with two different video game platforms. A video game development tool is provided and linked to the hub module. The development tool is used to perform modifications to video game data including game asset changes and additions. An authoring module is associated with the video game development tool and operates after the game data modifications to transmit an authoring message to the hub module. The authoring message includes content reflecting the game data modifications and is formatted for receipt by the hub module. The hub module generates update messages from the authoring messages and forwards these messages to the video game platforms that operate to run a video game using the game data modifications.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium that includes a computer program and corresponding method, the program comprising code which will: generate a computer-modelled environment comprising a three-dimensional computer-modelled space and one or more three-dimensional computer-modelled objects within that space; and generate a map of values of a kinetic parameter over the object's surface, the kinetic parameter parameterizing a kinetic activity to be modelled to occur within the computer-modelled space in relation to that surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing mechanically reinforced plated through-holes (PTH) in PCBs, which advantageously allow improved soldering capabilities and reliability, are described herein. Such systems and methods are achieved by reducing the heat sinking effects of PTHs by providing one or more vias surrounding the PTHs to provide an electrical connection between the PTH and the internal and bottom conductive layers of a PCB. In this regard, the PTHs are spaced apart from at least one of the internal conductive layers (e.g., ground or power layers), so the heat sinking effects are reduced. This feature enables molten solder to substantially fill the entire PTH before freezing, thereby improving the mechanical and electrical connection between an electrical component and the PCB. One or more electrically-nonfunctional lands (or “rib reinforcements”) are provided in internal conductive layers to mechanically support the walls of the PCB.

Abstract: A valve device and method are provided that are operative to selectively divert the flow of air within a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. The pneumatic tube includes at least aperture in a sidewall of the pneumatic tube, an outer sleeve, and an actuator. The actuator acts on the outer sleeve to block and open the aperture to fluid flow in order to divert air in the pneumatic system. In one embodiment, the valve is disposed in a pneumatic system in conjunction with a pneumatic carrier handling device.

Abstract: A carousel ride in which vehicles may move at differing speeds, in differing directions, and each be independently positioned relative to a load/unload platform. In one embodiment, a carousel ride is provided that includes: (1) an inner ring assembly including a first ring supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the first ring about a center axis of the carousel ride; and (2) an outer ring assembly including a second ring, concentric to the first ring, supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the second ring about a center axis of the carousel ride. During a portion of a ride; the drive system of the inner ring assembly operates to rotate the first ring at a first rotation rate, and the drive system of the outer ring assembly operates to rotate the second ring at a second rotation rate differing from the first rotation rate.

Abstract: A method for use in a datacenter for load balancing services. A native registry is operated to provide a naming service storing service access information for services active in a network. On a node, an instance of a service is provided, and the native registry is updated with access information for the service. The method includes providing a content switch with a node controller such as on a network device. The method includes obtaining, with the node controller, service configuration information for the service from the native registry that includes the service access information. The node controller activates the service on the network by configuring the content switch based on the obtained service configuration information. The method includes the service node publishing a service definition for the service that includes the service access information and other information such as a service name, an IP address, and a load balancing algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing methane emissions by ruminants. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method includes using the gas analyzer to determine levels of carbon dioxide and methane and operating a data analyzing station to determine a ratio of methane to carbon dioxide and modify the type or amount of nutrient supplement for the ruminant for a next feeding to control methane production or achieve an animal production goal, such as by operating a hopper with supplement compartments. The unit can be monitored remotely and controlled through an Internet connection.

Abstract: A method for managing a user's computing environment on their computer or workstation. The method includes storing a set of files in a memory device accessible via a communications network. Each file includes data such as environment variable values defining a particular computing environment. The method includes providing an environment management engine in a user's home directory of a computer. A shell runs in the computer device to invoke and run a computing environment management engine within the shell. The engine generates a computing environment in the computer based on the computing environment definition in one of the files that is chosen based on a user-provided or otherwise determined job state (e.g., the user is working on a project or a portion of a project that is associated with a job state). The computing environment includes versions of software applications, path variables, and alias definitions.

Abstract: A support pedestal that is adapted to support surface tiles to form an elevated building surface. The support pedestal can include a base member that is adapted to be placed upon a fixed surface and a support plate that is disposed over the base member for supporting a surface tile. An anchoring washer is fastened to the support plate and anchors adjacent surface tiles to the support pedestal. The anchoring washers can be rotated to selectively disengage from at least one of the adjacent surface tiles. By rotating an anchoring washer in each corner of a surface tile to disengage the anchoring washers, the surface tile can be easily and rapidly removed from the building surface without necessitating the removal of adjacent surface tiles.

Abstract: Methods of backdrilling printed circuit boards (PCBs) to remove via stubs and related apparatuses. The method may include removing a via stub through a combination of backdrilling and chemical etching. The backdrilling may remove a masking layer from the via stub. Portions of an underlying layer may remain in the region of the via stub after the backdrilling is completed. The remaining portions of the underlying layer may be removed in a subsequent etching process thereby removing the via stub from the PCB. As the backdrilling step may be used for the limited purpose of removing the outer layer and portions of the underlying layer remaining in the via can be tolerated, the diameter of the backdrilling need not be as large as traditional backdrilling where all layers within the via must be ensured of being completely removed.

Abstract: Video data may be extremely useful in online property commerce. However, the current methods of handling this video data fail to provide users of the data with effective and convenient ways of conveying and consolidating footage of multiple viewpoints and other property features. Among other things, embodiments of the invention address these failures by providing methods and systems for better handling of video data for property marketing, reporting, and analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass composition having a stable quality, which can be easily obtained. This glass composition can be used as a glass filler to be blended into a polycarbonate resin, and enables to reduce the load imposed on a glass manufacturing apparatus. Specifically, this glass composition contains, in mass %, 50?SiO2?60, 8?Al2O3?15, 0?MgO?10, 5?CaO<21, 0<SrO+BaO?25, 10<MgO+SrO+BaO?30, 0?Li2O+Na2O+K2O<2, 2<TiO2?10 and 0?ZrO2<2 and does not substantially contain B2O3, F, and ZnO.

Abstract: A round ride with passenger-initiated motion profiles controlling vertical vehicle movements. The ride includes a drive assembly with a rotating hub that includes support arms extending outward from the structure supporting passenger vehicles. Each of the vehicles includes a triggering device capable of generating either an onboard or offboard discrete signal when operated by a passenger causing a controller to select a motion profile from a number of stored profiles that each defines an actuator motion profile (or angular movement of a support arm about its pivotal mounting point to the rotatable central hub). The motion profiles define different angular rotations for a support arm to cause a vehicle to jump to differing heights, and the profile may be chosen by the controller based on vehicle height and position along the circular path and other environmental inputs such as a game state for the vehicle or a show/ride status.

Abstract: A radiocommunications terminal includes a send circuit and a receive circuit connected to a send/receive antenna of the terminal and respectively defining, when in operation, a send mode and a receive mode. The terminal also includes a circuit in a common part of the connection of the send and receive circuits to the antenna for matching the send and receive circuits to the antenna. A device for controlling and monitoring the power of signals sent/received by the terminal decenters the impedance matching of the antenna of the terminal only when the device is in send mode. Applications include reducing the energy impinging on the user of a mobile radio communications terminal.